The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1891.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 71, 25 March 1891, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1891.

Tot the causa that lacks an3istance. Tor tio •wrong that neeila resistance, Jor the futura In tho distance, Ana tno good that we can do.

V A few weeks ago, when the Booth. Stead scheme for draining the moral morass of Great Britain by diverting a .stream of half-reformed criminals and paupers to colonial shores was sprung on the public, a great number of English journalists seemed hardly able to find language sufficiently eulogistic to express their admiration of it. True, the majority of the writers were pro_ foucdly ignorant of the conditions Of life in the colonies, but people are generally most dogmatic about what they imperfectly comprehend. The feasibility of the scheme from a colonial point of view was treated as of secondary importance, or dismissed in the airiest manner as a trifle hardly demanding serious consideration.

Jt is instructive to turn for a momen 1 to ih.e real difficulties which confront any proposed scheme of emigration on an extensive scale from Great Britain to the colonies. We gain some interesting information on this point from the evidence given by a number of experts before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Colonisation. The Committee was appointed " to inquire into the various schemes which have been proposed to Her Majesty's Government to facilitate emigration from the congested districts of the United Kingdom to the British colonies or elsewhere; to examine into the results of any schemes which have received practical trial in recent years, and to report generally whether in their opinion it is desirable that further facilities should be given to promote emigration, and if so, upon the means and'the conditions under which such emigration can best be carried out, and the "quarters to which it can be mo§t advantageously directed."

It will be seen that the question dealt with, which was simply whether any organised system of colonisation could be devised to relieve the congested districts of Great Britain, was a very small one compared with General Booth's project of dealing with the whole criminal and pauper population. After some months spent in collecting evidence, and after examining a number of witnesses, including the Agents-General of the respective colonies, the Committee could agree upon no report, and finally decided to publish the evidence they had taken and to suggest to Parliament their reappointment, with a view of further prosecuting inquiries.

The evidence given by the AgentsGeneral was somewhat conflicting, but upon two points they were unanimous. They held that the emigrants must be specially selected, and that or must be advanced to each family sent out. Sir Arthur Blyth, the AgentGeneral for South Australia, informed the Committee that while there was a large area for settlement in his colony, it was chiefly situated in the Northern territory, and was not in his opinion suitable for the residence of European labourers. The South Australians would be strongly adverse to receiving paupers, and it would be impossible to obtain a vote from the local Legislature for the purpose of immigration. Sir Graham Berry stated that Victoria was already thickly populated compared with the other colonies; the Government would not assist State-aided colonisation with either land or money, and as many people as could be reasonably absorbed came of their own accord. The Committee turned to the Agent - General for Queensland, but Mr Archer was not more willing to be drawn than his brother agents. He admitted there was a large area of unoccupied land in Queensland, but a large proportion was unsuitable for climatic reasons, and when pressed by some members of the Committee, he further admitted there was plenty of available land in districts not too hot for Europeans, but sagaciously added, " in these localities the rainfall is insufficient for profitable agricultural settlement." Mr Archer further informed the Committee that thousands of unsuitable persons had gone out under the old emigration regulations. These persons formed a crowd of so-called unemployed, but more properly speaking they were " unfit," as there was an abundance of employment in Queensland for competent men. The AgentGeneral for New South Wales thought his Government would approve of a scheme for colonisation " if they had the entire control over the selection of the emigrants," but he deemed it impossible for an emigrant to successfully work land unless he had some money. Mr E. N. Braddon, on behalf of Tasmania, grounded his objections on the small area of available Crown land in his colony, while our own Sir F. Dilion Bell agreed with his colleagues that " the emigrants must be of a class which the colony was willing to receive, and that the co-operation of the local Government must be secured." Regarding the proposal to form settlements of Highland crofters in New Zealand, Sir Francis did not think there was much suitable land, because the crofters in his opinion should be located in a cool climate, and near the sea.

We have given* the opinions of the various colonial representatives because they show conclusively how formidable are the difficulties of suddenly introducing even suitable emigrants in any large numbers into the colonies which are most thickly populated. West Australia and Cape Colony have been specially pointed out by General Booth's advocates as suitable spheres of operation for experimenting v,'ith pauper emigrants. The representatives of West Australia, includingtheex-Governor, Sir Frederick Broome, were not so averse to open up their sparsely-populated country for emigration purposes; but they weie equally emphatic in demanding a suitable class of people, and clear in stating that " each family would require a capital of They pointed out that the emigrants they had introduced of late years had deserted the land assigned to them, and swarmed away to the neighbouriug colonies. Speaking :for Cape ' Colony, Sir Charles Mills declared that to send Whitechapel loafers would be worse than useless, and owing to the abundance of cheap native labour, agricultural labourers were not required. The only people who jvould succeed, in his opinion, were those who, like the German emigrants, were willing to work hard and live frugally. The EDglish working classes, as a rule, were unwilling to put up with the discomforts of South African life.

It appears evident from the cautious opinions expressed by the colonial representatives, which seem to have had great weight with the Committee, that while skilled artisans and hardworking labourers may find openings in South Africa or Australasia, any scheme which contemplates a wholesale introduction of English loalers and hereditary paupers into the colonies is not feasible either from an English or colonial point of view. Dr. Gift'en, one of the secretaries of the Board of Trade, informed the Committee that in his opinion it was not necessary for the State to assist emigration on a large scale; " the really serious problem before the country was how to transmute the very large unskilled population which still remains with us into a highly skilled population." Dr. Giffen adds : " Improved education would be a more potent factor than State-assisted emigration." The suggestion is a valuable one, and should commend itself to reformers like General Booth, who think they will reduce misery by shifting an unskilled pauper population from one country to another,

It has been our custom for years past to publish a monthly summary of news fo r transmission by fcha San Francisco mail, and our readers have been enabled, at no additional cost to themselves, to furni&h their friends at a distance wish a general epitome of the local news of the month. Thi3'monthly edition has met with the fullest appreciation from our subscribers, and rinding that thousands of copies are being sent abroad every month, we have decided to yield to a froqnently-ex-pressed desire and make the summary of news more oxtensive than hitherto. This month's nev/a being exceptionally heavy, four complete pages of the condensed ews of the month, affording a readb'e and reliable record of the more important ovents that have transpired in the colony during that period, will be issued with the Stab. No additional charge will be mado for the paper. Orders for copies to be poetod should bo sent in as early as possible.

The money-lending case, Rae v. Greenaway, was commenced at the Supreme Court this morning, and it will probably be a late hour to-morrow evening before it will be brought to a conclusion. A large number of witnesses have to be examined. It transpired during Mr Rae's cross-examination this morning that Greenaway was examined before a Chiof Justice at Wellington, and he is now incarcerated in the Inebriate Asylum at Ashburton. Greenaway has been in the institution about a month.

The action at the Supreme Court; yeetorday, T. T. Masefield against a native named iiotano, for the possession of certain machinory at Huntly, ended in a verdict for defendant, but loave was granted to plaintifl to apply for a verdict of £400, the full amount claimed, or if the machinery was handed over, the damages should be reduced to £100.

About noon to-day the Melane*ian Mission's well-known three-masted auxiliary screw schooner Southern Cross, Capt. M. Huggefcb, sailed out of port on her periodical cruise up amongst the islands of the Western Pacific on missionary work. She took away some half - dozen passengers and the usual full supply of stores, etc., for her three or four months' South Sea voyaging. She calls as usual first at Norfolk Island, and from that locality takes the native mission children attending school there back to their Island homes till the next season. From Norfolk Island she goes on to the New Hebrides, Torres, Banks and Santa Cruz Islands, and thence cruises up through the Solomon Islands, calling at all the mission stations and schools. She should be back here aboub July next. As far as ia at present decided, this will be the old Southern Cross's last Melanesian cruise. Amongßt tho schooner's passengers for Norfolk Island wero the Revs. Comins and Forrest, two of tho Melanesian mission stalF. Bishop Solwyn ia, according to latest reports, Btill lying ill at Norfolk Island.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Christian Standard Band of Hope was held Insb evonirig in the Meeting House at Surrey Hills. There waa a good attendance. After a nice programme, in which Mr Maodormott, the Band of Hope Union speaker, took part, the ofiicers for tho incoming year wore elected as under:—

President, Mr R. Downey ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. C. Morton and F. W. Greenwood ; attendance registrar, Mr Ernest Vickery ; assistant secrotary, Miss Lily Marecn ; committee, Mieses S. Marson, A. Nottlingham, F. Vickery, Messrs J. T. Marson, T. Hadfiold, W. Vickery, Mis Greenwood, and a eocretary.

Pastor Birch's Testimonial Committee held an adjourned committee meeting in the Forestors' Hall, Newton, last evening, with a full attendance. Reports were received from those in charge of the signature ghocts to the ell'ect that they were being numorously signed, and that the hundred sheets at first issuod were mostly full. It was decidod to issue 50 more ehcots, and to extend the time tor receiving same to Tuesday next, the 31st March

jSlews has been received of tho death of Mr Nathan Hat ker, late of this city. Mr Harker died suddenly at Bournemouth, England, and it is presumed his end was acceleratod by the fearfully cold weather experienced in England during the winter. Mr Harker was well known and deservedly esteemed both in Victoria and Auckland ; here he helped materially to develop several local industries, and was the owner of several properties in Auckland. His geniality endeared him to a large circle of acquaintances, who will deplore his somewhat untimely death. Hβ purposed returning early to this colony, and has died possessed of some considerable property.

At the Police Court this morning a case of using insulting language was heard before Dr. Giles*, R. M. Mrs Annie Macauley was charged with having on the 6th inst., in Adams' right-of-way, Greystreet, used abusive and insultinc language in a public place. Mr O'Meagher appeared on behalf of the defendant, and after tho nature of the language used had been doposed to by Detective Hughes aid others, he contended thab the right-of-way in which the words were alleged to have been used was not a public place, and also called witnesses to prove that the langviago complained of was not used. Annie Macauley deposed that the complainant, Mrs Perry, had used abusive and threatening language towards her, and had knocked her down. His Worship dismissed the case.

The annual meeting oF the Maketu Presbyterian congregation was held in the schoolroom on Friday last, the Rev. T. Norrio in the chair. From tho treasurer's report it appeared that for the year 1890 £6 4s had been received. At the branch station of Ararimu South £4 2s 9d had been received, making a total of £10 6s 9d. The report was adopted, and thanks given to the Committee and the Sabbath school teachers. Tho following gentlemen were appointed tho Committee for tho current year, viz. : —Messrs Stembridge, T. Harknees, J. Freegard, G. McDowell, and W. Fergueson; sub-committee for Ararimu, Messrs G. Sutton and M. Sinclair.

The following resolution was unanimously agreed to by Lodge Sir Walter Scott, N.Z. Constitution, at an emergency meeting held at the Thames last evening : —" That this lodge desires to express its deep regret at the uuhappy differences which have prevailed amongst the lodges of tho colony during the last twelve month?, and its hearty approval of the efforts made by His Excellency Bro. tho Earl of Onslow to promote a bettor understanding and more fraternal feeling?, and believing that in a great measure this object has been attained, this lodge would most respectfully urge His Excellency to complete his good work and permit himself to be nominated for tho position of Grand Master at the next communication of the Grand Lodge to be held at Invernargill on the 10th April next." Tho Scindc Lodge of Freemasous at Napier also passed a resolution asking the Earl of Onslow to psrnrit himself to be nominated Grand Master of the New Zealand Lodge.

The members of the Chamber of Commerce are convened by advertisement to meet the Hon. J. G. Ward at the rooms at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. Mr Ward arrived by the Hauroto early this morning from Sydney, where he has been attending the Postal Conference.

At; tho Police Court this morning Dr. Giles, R.M., fined Lawrence Kilgollan and Catherine Cummins 10s each for being drunk, and Margaret Carroll alias Bedford, 20s for tne same offence, or 48 hours' imprisonment in default.

There was at 2.30 p.m. yesterdays special sitting bofore the Resident Magistrate (Dr. (jiles) of the Resident Magistrate's Court, to take evidence on behalf of defendant in a Rotorua case called Broad v. Mills and Mills. Dr. Laishley appeared for defendants. There was no appearance on behalf of plaintiff. The evidence of Mr Ephraim Mills was taken and will bo sent to tho Kotorua Court for its next siting.

On Good Friday a cricket match is to b e played at tho Thames between tho Wan' derers (local) and Thames Cricket Clubs , The following will represent tho Wan' derers: -J. Whelan (captain), I. Mills, W. Whelan, J. S. Allan, T. Bain, J. Steele, J. Stanton, J. Murphy, A. Rowe, A. Braund, and I. Clark.

The ordinary meeting of the City Schools Committee was held last evening. There were present: Messrs Blades (chairman), Farrell, Crowther, and Sheison. It was resolved to obtain gymnaabic apparatus for Boresford-street school. A complaint regarding the state of the water at Beres-ford-streot school and applicatione for tarring and sanding Napier and Beresford street school grounds were referred to the Board. The Truant Officer reported that from an examination of the register of births he found that a Mrs O'Hara had stated the incorrect age of her child, and it was resolved to ask her for an explanation. The usual accounts wore passed for payment. Mr Burlinson reported a debit balance of £4 5a IOAd at Albort - street school.

Hunter's Artillery Band will hold their annual picnic at Motutapu on Good Friday. Every arrangement has been made to ensure a pleasent day's outing , . The popular steamer Eagle has been chartered to convey excursionists to their destination, and arrangements made so that they shall be landed without any inconvenience or danger. As most likely this will be the last excursion to Motutapu this season, pleasure-seekers should avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting Mossrs Reid Bros.' charming island. The Band will discourse choice selections of music during the day, which should add greatly to the day's enjoyment.

Last evening a concert and miscellaneous entertainment in aid of the YVellesley-street School annual sports fund was held in the Lome-street Hall, the principal portion of the evening's programme being contributed by the school children, assisted by some friends. There was a crowded attendance, and the resulo of the entertainment was the netting of a handsome sum in aid of the sports. The following miscellaneous programme wae gone through : —Pianoforte duet, Misses Last and Thode; song. Standards V. and VI. ; violin eolo, Miss F. Dewar ; song, Miss G. Crowthor ; recitation, Mr Draffin ; song, Miss May Glover ; boys' durnbell exercises, leader Mr Plumtner; song, Standards V. and VI. ; recitation, Miss Daisy Leaning ; song, Standard IV. ; instrumental duet, Mr Bourke and Master Keesing; girls' Indian club exercises, loader Mr Plummer ; song, Standard IV. ; recitation, Miss Emily Moon ; song, Miss Eva Piountree. The entertainment concluded with the farco " Bilious." The various roles were enacted by Mr Montague, Miss Byrne, Miss Mulvaney and Mr Laurie.

An inspection parade of the four infantry volunteer companies took place at the Drill-shed last evening, when there was a fine muster of the Victoria, Imb Rifles, Newton Rifles, and City Guards. After inspection by Lieut.-Colonel Shepherd, and drill under Captain Kohn, the men were addressed by the former, who has received notice that hie command of the Auckland district will shortly cease owing to retrenchment. Colonel Shepherd said this would probably bo the last time he would be id command of them, but he would always take a gront interest in the volunteer movement. He had always wished the Auckland volunteers to be the bes'u in the colony, and he would give them a word or two of advice. They should make volunteering their first object, and leave cricket, football and such sports in a secondary position. They should go into volunteering in true volunteer spirit. They had many difficulties to contend with, but these could be overcome. They were good shots, well able to hold their own against othor districts. Recruit 3 should go into the work with a will. Such sports as the Military Sports* promoted by His Excellency might assist the volunteer movement greatly. He concluded by saying that he should always do his best for the volunteer movement, especially in Auckland. At the conclusion of Colonel Shepherd's remarks, arms were grounded, but discipline prevented cheers. The men then inarched out and through the principal streets, headed by the Garrison Band.